The power distribution segment in India is witnessing a shift, driven by the increasing focus on a more efficient power distribution infrastructure. To meet rising power demands, discoms in India must leverage technological advancements and automate their operations. Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data and analytics are being adopted to ensure consumers receive uninterrupted and quality power supply as the Indian economy witnesses growing industrial activity.
A look at the use cases of these technologies, utility experiences, challenges in their adoption and future outlook…
Benefits and use cases
AI, machine learning (ML) and blockchain-based technologies are critical for modernising distribution companies. While their applications are still in initial stages, they hold significant potential to modernise energy distribution and consumption.
AI has proven to be a key solution to the challenge of high aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses faced by discoms. Moreover, AI helps in reducing the frequency of power outage due to growing demand and the penetration of various sources of generation. ML applications help Indian utilities improve fault detection, load forecasting and voltage regulation. For instance, AI-powered fault detection systems analyse real-time grid data to identify faults quickly and accurately, reducing response times and outage durations. AI also has the potential to enable the deployment of self-healing grids, particularly in the Indian context. These grids can use AI algorithms to detect faults and restore power autonomously. These advancements highlight AI’s critical role in modernising India’s power distribution systems.
AI/ML-based platforms have generated savings through asset management, leading to planned maintenance, a weak point for most utilities. Geotagging helps avoid asset downtime, generating substantial savings compared to the minuscule cost of technology.
An example of AI in distribution automation has been provided by Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). By leveraging AI, KSEB provides consumers with detailed insights into their electricity consumption patterns, such as past usage trends and current load.
Tata Power and AutoGrid are also deploying an advanced AI-driven smart energy management system. This system focuses on behavioural demand response across residential, commercial and industrial customers in Mumbai. The initiative aims to address peak demand challenges. The demand response management programme, launched in 2023, engaged 55,000 residential consumers and 6,000 large commercial and industrial customers to achieve 75 MW of peak capacity reduction within the first six months of the roll-out, beginning February 2023, and aims to scale up to 200 MW by the summer of 2025. In addition to the behavioural demand response programme, Tata Power will stack on an automated demand response programme with direct load control assisted by customer participation with its in-house smart plug platform called EZ Home. AutoGrid is also helping extend this initiative across Tata Power’s distribution areas, encompassing all consumer segments.
Big data and analytics are also important drivers for distribution automation in India. With the increasing digitisation of the power sector, Indian discoms now have access to vast amounts of data from smart meters, internet of things (IoT) devices and SCADA systems. This data, when analysed, offers actionable insights into network performance, consumer behaviour and asset health. Data-driven strategies are also helping utilities reduce technical and commercial losses, which is critical for improving the financial health of India’s power sector. Big data systems provide companies with weather data sets, which can help in drawing inferences by correlating them with historical grid performance and real-time operational data.
The use of blockchain in distribution automation is emerging as a solution for peer-to-peer energy trading and enhancing grid security. With India’s growing adoption of rooftop solar, blockchain can enable decentralised energy markets where consumers can trade surplus energy transparently. Projects such as the pilot initiative in Uttar Pradesh for blockchain-enabled solar trading demonstrate its potential.
IoT is another crucial tool being leveraged by utilities for real-time data acquisition and grid monitoring in India. IoT-enabled sensors and smart devices collect data on grid performance, asset health and energy usage, providing utilities with granular insights. For example, BSES Yamuna Power Limited partnered with Columbus to develop a digital data platform to optimise the storage and distribution of renewable energy in Delhi. Through this pilot project, the platform uses digital technology to enable efficient energy resource management. The project is funded by Nordic Innovation, in collaboration with the Danish embassy, with the purpose of optimising the storage and distribution of alternative energy sources. With near-real-time data, management can also make timely and informed decisions to optimise their energy utilisation and store any excess power generated. As part of the pilot project, data from multiple vectors has been processed in real time to generate dashboards and decisions on distributing the energy to EV charging stations, charging and discharging batteries, distributing energy to the power grid, and extracting energy from the power grid.
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are also emerging technologies with significant potential to transform distribution automation in the power sector. These technologies enable better training and enhanced decision-making by providing interactive experiences. In distribution automation, AR can be used for real-time visualisation of grid infrastructure, allowing fieldworkers to access critical data, maps and schematics through smart glasses or mobile devices while on site. This helps in quick fault detection, network maintenance and remote diagnostics, improving operational efficiency and reducing downtime. Meanwhile, VR can be employed for training purposes, enabling utility workers to simulate real-world scenarios in a safe and controlled environment. This provides hands-on experience in handling complex grid operations or emergency situations without the risks associated with live grid systems. Additionally, VR-based simulations can assist in planning and designing more effective distribution networks, ensuring better risk management and resilience. Kolkata-based CESC Limited has also embraced digital transformation by adopting various sustainable future-ready technologies such as AR, VR and mixed reality for substations in Kolkata to speed up network repairs without physical interventions.
Together, AR and VR technologies are enhancing the capabilities of IT and IoT systems in distribution automation, allowing utilities to optimise grid performance, improve worker safety, and increase the reliability and efficiency of power distribution systems. As these technologies continue to evolve, they are expected to play an even larger role in the modernisation of India’s power distribution infrastructure.
Challenges and opportunities
The adoption of advanced technologies such as AI, big data and IoT presents both challenges and opportunities for India’s power sector. Data privacy and cybersecurity concerns are significant hurdles as utilities increasingly digitise their operations. The integration of smart meters, IoT sensors and edge devices is generating vast amounts of sensitive data, making power systems vulnerable to cyberattacks.
The Ministry of Power recently launched a specialised Computer Security Incident Response Team for the power sector (CSIRT-Power). The facility is equipped with advanced infrastructure to tackle emerging cyberthreats in the power sector. CSIRT-Power’s roles and responsibilities will include laying down the cybersecurity framework and protocol for the power sector. It is also proposed that all responsible entities in the power sector establish an information security division (ISD), headed by the chief information security officer, to oversee cybersecurity efforts. This ISD will remain operational round the clock, with adequate workforce and infrastructure support.
ML models or algorithms can be developed to monitor real-time network data, identifying any unusual or potentially harmful behaviour indicative of a cyberattack. More importantly, AI can provide 24×7 monitoring and analysis of distribution automation networks, significantly reducing the risk of undetected security breaches. This helps in ensuring that the critical infrastructure of discoms remains secure. By integrating AI into their cybersecurity strategies, discoms can strengthen their defences against increasingly sophisticated cyberthreats, ensuring reliable operation of their distribution systems.
AI, big data and analytics are revolutionising distribution automation in India, driving enhanced grid reliability, efficiency and resilience. With the planned roll-out of 250 million smart meters, the volume of data generated will be huge, which would be impossible to handle manually. AI/ML-based applications will be required to make this data actionable.
For stakeholders, it is time to invest in these transformative solutions. By embracing innovation, discoms can build a future-ready power system that aligns with India’s ambitious energy and sustainability goals.